In today’s episode, we’re bringing you the third of our three-part mini series on personality tests! We’re going to chat about the Myers Briggs, Fascination Advantage, Love Languages/Language of Appreciation, and StrengthsFinder. Then we’ll finish the show with a weekly actionable tip.

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Diane Sanfilippo: So where this is also really powerful, as someone who might have a team, or be leading people, is understanding that if words of affirmation are the most powerful for the people that work with you, spending lots and time and money getting gifts together for them; you still might do it. But feeling compelled to do that in order to make them feel valued, you might be putting more value in it than is necessary.

Welcome to Driven; a show about business, life, and wellness from two confident, curious women who are pulling back the curtain on what it’s like being an entrepreneur. Each week, join hosts Diane Sanfilippo and Cassy Joy Garcia talk about being your best, showing up for your dreams, and kicking self-doubt to the curb.

Diane is a business whisperer, best-selling author, and plant-hobbyist based in San Francisco. Cassy Joy is the founder of www.FedandFit.com, best-selling author, and casserole enthusiast. She calls San Antonio, Texas, home.

Diane Sanfilippo: In today’s episode, we’re bringing you the third of our three-part miniseries on personality tests. We’re going to chat about Myers-Briggs, fascination advantage, love languages, or you could call them languages of appreciation, and strengths finder. Then we’ll finish the show with a weekly actionable tip.

Topics:

1. What’s on my plate [2:10]
2. Shop Talk: Personality tests – Myers-Briggs [15:39]
3. Love Languages/Languages of Appreciation [24:28]
4. Fascination Advantage [41:53]
5. Strengths Finder [57:37]
6. Tip of The Week: Choose a test [1:08:14]

Diane Sanfilippo: Today’s podcast is sponsored in part by Vital Choice Wild Seafood and Organics. America’s leading purveyor of premium, sustainable seafood and grass-fed meats, and a certified B corporation. Holiday season means parties and meals with family and friends, so now is the time to stock up on deliciously healthy foods you’ll be proud to serve. Vital Choice offers a wide selection of wild sea foods, grass-fed meats and poultry, and zesty organic soups. The perfect paleo-friendly fare for holiday feasting. And they make hosting easy with luscious nova lox, Alaskan crab, frozen at sea spot prawns, and much more. Be sure to save 15% on one regular order with the promo code DRIVEN or get $15 off your first Vital Box with the promocode DRIVENVB from now through the end of the year.

1.  What’s on my plate [2:10]

Cassy Joy: What’s on My Plate. In this segment, we talk about what’s happening in our businesses, and in our lives for the week. Good morning, Diane! {laughs} I don’t know why I said morning. It’s definitely afternoon. {laughs}

Diane Sanfilippo: Well, they’re probably listening in the morning. So, good morning.

Cassy Joy: That’s why I thought that. I listen to podcasts in the morning when I’m getting ready and driving. So, my most pressing, for whatever reason, my number one update that I feel like I have to get off my chest is I feel like I have Gollum teeth right now.

Diane Sanfilippo: {laughing} If anybody missed our past episodes, Cassy has Invisalign. Which I had several years ago, so I was trying to wave orange flags and warn her about all these things. Which, I feel like that’s kind of my role in a lot of people’s lives. Just in general. I’m like the orange flag; like, hey, let me tell you what happened.

Cassy Joy: It’s super helpful. I really appreciate it. But I like being coached by very knowledgeable people. But yeah, so they just put on these little buttons; you know what I’m talking about? It’s like they glued those little white buttons on.

Diane Sanfilippo: Mm-hmm. The thing they don’t tell you about.

Cassy Joy: Yes!

Diane Sanfilippo: And then you get there, and you’re like; I’m sorry, did I just leave with extra teeth?

Cassy Joy: {laughing} That’s what it feels like! I was like; is that what Gollum’s mouth feels like? Just, a bunch of fangs {laughing}. That’s what I feel like. Anyways. That’s for the status there. I mean, really. That’s the most I have to complain about. It’s been a good experience so far. And it is getting easier.

Another update, on a personal note. I’m just kind of going through a tough mom season right now. Gray is turning two this weekend. Which, I can’t believe we’re already here.

Diane Sanfilippo: That’s crazy.

Cassy Joy: Oh my goodness. It’s just wild. It’s getting more and more fun. I really, in being a new mom, lots of parents would ask me; what’s been your favorite age? Oh my gosh, don’t you just love 6 months? 6 months is my favorite age! Newborn is my favorite age! 1 is my favorite age! And I just want to say; I’m here to say. I hate to sound cheesy, but every age has been my favorite. It’s literally, like Elf; make work your new favorite. Every day is my new favorite with Gray. It’s just so fun. It’s getting more and more fun.

But it’s tough right now because she is just really coming into herself and communicating even better right now in both my business and my husband’s business, Austin. This time of the year; January and February, we’re just slammed. Because this is the time of year, as bloggers, that we take on new projects. Right, because the holidays, we’re just in this kind of keeping up with the work that’s coming our way mode. And this is the time of year where we write books, where we design new programs, and we work really hard. This is also the time of year that my husband tends to travel, and his work is pretty intense. So it’s just tough.

And she’s doing swim classes right now. And I’m super pregnant. For the last three mornings; because we brought in childcare. More reliable, steady; a lady who is really going to be a part of our family. And she’s wonderful. But Gray now, when I put her in the car. Because she takes her to school. I’m like; ok, bye sweet pea. And normally it’s not been a thing, but now Gray is like; mama, no! And ugh, it just kills me. Kills me. So I come in and just try to busy myself with work. This too shall pass. As with all things in parenting and life that are hard. But I just thought I’d throw that out there, in case you’re going through a similar season, you’re not alone.

And then my last update, work related, we had two really good, really packed workdays this week with my team. And decided; it’s just; I mean it just confirmed all over again how much team, in particular, thrives on being in person. We have the best ideas when we’re in a room together. And are able to just be like; what do you think about this? Even though we have Voxer, and we can do that remotely, there’s some kind of magic that just happens when we’re together chewing on ideas and projects together.

And we came up with a great idea. We’re going to take; I’m not going to give it all away just yet, because we have a little bit of leg work to do to make it a reality. But we made a decision to take one of our best resources that is, you know, we’re probably really well known for. It’s definitely in the meal prep vein. And see what it might look like to break it out and offer it as individual downloads for purchase within the next year. because it’s an amazing resource; these little eBooks. Not little. They’re extensive. But if we could expand on them, create new ones, and really help cater to the folks who have been coming our way asking for more.

I think we might do that. It will be a really good use of time. But those are the things I’m really excited about right now. Excited about and overwhelmed by. {laughs}

Diane Sanfilippo: Isn’t that always the case?

Cassy Joy: Yes. What do you have going on?

Diane Sanfilippo: Well. My low-back is coming along, for those who are following along with that story and saga, on the personal front. My L5 disc is just apparently irritated. So I’ve got a couple of disc issues, and I keep joking that the cruel joke is that my husband is a chiropractor. But when you’ve got a disc issue that’s flared up, they kind of can’t do anything in the moment. Not nothing, but most of what he does, a lot of manual therapy. And when the injury is painful, you have to wait for it to calm down. So of course it’s just; {sigh} just waiting. Which I’m not that great at.

But I’m also working with a coach. And I’ve done this in the past, but this is a much closer coaching working relationship. Who is helping me with accountability? Which sounds very strange. And I think it’s interesting based on last weeks’ episode talking about the Four Tendencies, because we discussed how we’re both Rebels. And Rebels are not people who really respond that well to any sort of inner or outer expectations.

That said; when we have decided that this is what we’re doing, and this is who we are. Or, this is how we show up for people for the thing that we paid for and we respect each other’s time or respect people’s time, then we do. And so I hired a coach who is helping me. I’m doing some macro tracking, which I’ve done before. I’m accountable to filling her in on what’s going on with my workouts and things like that. She actually is also a chiropractor, but has taken on a lot of remote clients around, just nutritional and lifestyle and fitness coaching. And just; I don’t know. I got to know her through a friend of a friend. A friend I went to high school with, and it seemed like a good fit. I just like her as a person. And it’s working out really well.

I’ve been working with her for; I feel like it’s almost two months now. And it’s been a very interesting journey, and I’ll share more about it in other places since it’s not very work related. But it’s been a really interesting personal journey for me to reflect on things every single week on how the previous week went with this stuff. With my fitness. With my nutrition. With taking care of myself and all of that. And it’s a good exercise for me, because I do have to; like everyone else, find the time to put myself first so that I can truly show up for my business. For our readers. For my teams, and all of that. So it’s really helping me stay accountable to putting myself first. Which is interesting.

Cassy Joy: That is neat. That’s really exciting. You know what, as also a Rebel, though; one time I did have an accountability; I hate to side rail real quickly. But one time I did have an accountability coach. It was Arsy Vartanian, who is both of our upline at Beautycounter. One of our Beautycounter mentors. It was the very first year I was like; sure, I’ll see what this incentive trip thing is about. And she set up, I think it was a biweekly phone call. Which normally does not work for my personality. But I think Arsy is one of the brightest business brains I’ve ever known. And I was just excited to get on a call with her. But that; I don’t know. That touch point to just see where are you actually on these things was actually really helpful. If you find the right coach that’s respectful of how your tendency, there, I guess.

Diane Sanfilippo: Totally. And I think that is the beauty or the magic of being a very self-aware, high functioning Rebel. Is that, if we decide this is what we want to do, this is the person that we trust, this is what we’re going to show up for, we can do it. We can do anything we want to do. End of story. We have to want it, you know?

Cassy Joy: {laughs} Yes.

Diane Sanfilippo: If I don’t really want to do it, it’s not going to happen.

Cassy Joy: That’s so true.

Diane Sanfilippo: So there’s that. And part of it is, I don’t want to let myself down. I don’t want to let her down, because I respect her. And I want to reach the goals that I have. Both emotionally and physically. It’s not just about physical stuff.

So, anyway. There’s that. On the business front, we are excited because as of the airing of this episode, fingers crossed, hopefully nothing got derailed in the meantime. But you should be able to see at www.balancedbites.com; well, meals.balancedbites.com, a new menu. Which is so exciting. And I think I’ve talked a little bit on the show about the process of that. But what happens is, I submit recipes to our kitchens. And we get, I think we had at least two rounds of samples that came in. So they’ll mail me; {laughs} it’s like a mockup, but of food. Real food that’s actually cooked and I taste everything. I give feedback.

It’s so interesting how things will come in; some of them are super close to perfect the first time. And then the second time, it’s like; wait, something changed. Hold on! Reign it back! {laughs} And we’re working with two separate kitchens. So it’s like 10 meals from each kitchen, and I’m having to give feedback on what’s happening in isolation in one kitchen, but also comparing and contrasting across them, and being super particular, as I am, about things like flavor and texture and portioning and every single detail of how these mails are not only getting put together and how they taste but also how they look. Just everything about them. So that is really exciting.

It takes so much longer than you would think to go from concept and recipe to completion and actually shipping. And what happens, also, in the middle there are nutritionals get calculated so that we can put them on the label. We have boxes that are getting sent to our food photographer. You know; I can do that. But I talked about this recently on an IG live that I don’t know that many people got to see. But one of the great pleasures for me in running a business is actually giving people work that they love to do and paying them for it. And not just hoarding all of this work for myself, just because I can or I might have the skills.

And also, it’s less stress for me to say; you know what? It’s going to take an extra week because we’re sending it to this other person and we need to make it work with her schedule and all of that. But it’s less stress for me. I think she’ll do a better job than I will. That’s the honest truth. She’ll do a better job than I will, and I love to be able to give someone that work to do, who is amazing at it. So that’s really fun, and I can’t wait to see what she does. Her name is Trisha Hughes, the woman who does our photography for the Balanced Bites meals. I know she does some other food photography for some folks, as well. So that’s really fun.

We’re looking at adding at least one fun new add on to meal boxes. So if you are somebody who has been getting meals, just kind of keep your eyes open for that. I don’t want to say it now, just in case something falls through. {laughs} I don’t want to jinx it. But I love having little extras that we can allow you to add on to your meal box that either just introduce you to a different product, or allow you to try something, or even hopefully something we can offer consistently that kind of goes with the meals. So that’s fun for me too.

And from a business perspective, obviously if you’re already shopping, adding something else to your shopping cart; that’s how we all shop. And it’s a good thing to do to increase the average order size. And that’s something that; we can talk more about that in a future episode when we talk about selling things and online sales strategies and all that.

And then lastly, just a very quick note. At this point in time, we should still have a customer service job posting up. If you’re like; wait, did I miss it for weeks? We’re recording this episode on January 22^nd, and as of today it’s not live, the post. So if you didn’t see it at a certain point in time. But I’ll make sure that we are not going to close it out upon the airing of this episode. But we’re hiring for customer service for Balanced Bites meals and spices, as well as we are still looking for the right fit for a video editor. So keep your eyes and ears open on that front.

2.  Shop Talk: Personality tests – Myers-Briggs [15:39]

Diane Sanfilippo: Now it’s time for Shop Talk. In this segment, we talk about topics that are on both our minds and yours. We’ll cover all sides of the issue, and hopefully land somewhere concise, actionable, and helpful. And today we’re talking shop about more personality tests. If you did not catch last weeks’ episode, head on back. We were talking about the Enneagram. And today we’re going to touch on Myers-Brigg, which you can take a free test for that. 16personalities.com if you guys haven’t seen, is essentially Myers-Brigg, just kind of in a modernized, fun format. We’ll talk about the Fascination Advantage. You may not have heard of that one. Love Languages/languages of appreciation, and Strengths Finder. We’ll do a quick overview of each framework, our results, and how we bring each of these formats to life in our own business.

So let’s kick off with a couple of notes about Myers-Briggs. Because we found out something very interesting. Which is that, we have exactly the same Myers-Briggs type. Which is what, Cassy?

Cassy Joy: ENTJ. So, oh, do you know what all the letters stand for off the top of your head? She’s nodding.

Diane Sanfilippo: I do.

Cassy Joy: Ok good. {laughing} But yeah. We’re ENTJ. It’s been; I don’t know. People walk around with their Myers-Briggs numbers. Or terms.

Diane Sanfilippo: {laughs}

Cassy Joy: I almost forget what they mean.

Diane Sanfilippo: So you’ll be either an E or an I; and that’s for introvert or extrovert. Or extrovert/introvert. The N is for intuitive or intuition. I think the opposite of that is S, which is sensing. I don’t know every detailed nuance of differentiating between all of those elements. So, extrovert or introvert; intuitive or sensing; thinking or perceiving. So you could be a T or a P.

Cassy Joy: An F.

Diane Sanfilippo: Mmm? Oh.

Cassy Joy: Sorry. I pulled it up. It is I/E, introvert/extrovert. S/N is sensing or intuition. T/F is thinking or feeling.

Diane Sanfilippo: Oh, thinking or feeling. And then J/P, judging or perceiving.

Cassy Joy: Mm-hmm. Yes. {laughs}

Diane Sanfilippo: Yes.

Cassy Joy: Clearly this is our favorite one. {laughing}

Diane Sanfilippo: Well, we kind of wanted to just mention it and slightly glaze over it, only because Cassy and I have the exact same Myers-Brigg type. But what I think is more interesting are the ways that we’re different. Because I do think that outwardly, there are things about the way that we move through the world and present ourselves that people would say; oh yeah, they’re really similar. And I actually think that’s one of the short comings of Myers-Briggs, is that it’s this really outward-in perception. Which we’re going to talk more about that when we talk about Fascination Advantage. Which is kind of an outward-in thing, but it does have an inward-out direction as well. 

So, I think because we both rate as an ENTJ, I actually don’t think it’s that interesting to get into it. But I’m just going to read very briefly what it says about this personality type. If you go to 16personalities.com they call the ENTJ the Commander. And essentially it’s like a very traditional leader. Someone in a leadership position. Someone with gifts of charisma and confidence that projects authority and draws a crowd together behind a common goal. So, just those high level elements.

And I think it’s obvious that we named this show Driven that we’re both like; yeah, we love to talk shop! And running our businesses! I just think those are all very obvious things. So I’d rather talk about things that are maybe more nuanced and differentiators.

Cassy Joy: Yeah.

Diane Sanfilippo: But, this is something… go head.

Cassy Joy: Myers-Briggs; the only benefit I’ve ever seen to Myers-Briggs is that I can hang at a cocktail party with kind of old school sea suit people. It’s the only advantage I’ve ever taken from it.

Diane Sanfilippo: As in; this is a topic of conversation. This is your small talk?

Cassy Joy: Yes. I have something to contribute. I know my Myers-Briggs. I’m an ENTJ. But I’ve never actually found it instructional, or useful in terms of my own development. And/or the development of my team members. I mean; yeah, sure. You can look and see; oh, it would be nice to have somebody who maybe is Feeling and Perceiving on my team, because those are not my leading strengths. But still, like you said. It’s a very broad bucket.

Diane Sanfilippo: And it’s very static, I think. It kind of defines you as your are rather than showing you ways to either lean into it or develop through it. So it’s funny, because it says; “Commanders you may know. Steve Jobs, Gordon Ramsey, Margaret Thatcher, Franklin D. Roosevelt.” And I’m like; Steve Jobs and Gordon Ramsey; I feel that.

Cassy Joy: {Laughing} Bossy A.F.

Diane Sanfilippo: I feel like; yeah.

Cassy Joy: I like it.

Diane Sanfilippo: And just, self-assured in this weird way. Like one of the Steve Jobs movies, when someone was criticizing how he priced Macintosh or something, he said; that’s the price. Buy it or don’t. And I was like, that is me.

Cassy Joy: {laughing} Did you ever read Powerful by Patty McCord? I think it was her. Who worked…

Diane Sanfilippo: {laughs} I’m just laughing because I feel like I went through this for 8 years with Liz when she would ask me if I read something. And I’m like; let’s just stop you right there.

Cassy Joy: {laughing} I’m blurring the lines right now between Powerful and Radical Candor by Kim Scott.

Diane Sanfilippo: That I am aware of intimately.

Cassy Joy: Ok, so one of those two books and one of those women. I feel terrible that I can’t remember who. I read them back to back, which is why they blur together for me. But one of them worked intimately with Steve Jobs, and just in hearing the behind the scenes of just how blunt he was as a commander, it’s so interesting. But it’s just; it’s like, this is the price, take it or leave it. This is how I’m making decisions in the business; take it or leave it. And feel free to challenge me. I like that crowd. Those are the kinds of people that I want to really just rumble over an idea with. To use one of their words.

Diane Sanfilippo: I mean, it takes all kinds, you know. It takes the people who are that self-assured and certain of their crazy ideas. And it does take the kinds who are going to crowdsource more. And it takes the kinds who are going to stand up to the radicals. And it takes the kinds to go with them. It takes all kinds. So, yeah. Really interesting. I do think, you know, there’s a place for it in the workplace. And I’ll say that before we got into things like Enneagram and Tendencies and languages of appreciation, my team and I, we did talk about 16 personalities or the Myers-Briggs. That was something we looked at initially and it does inform a little bit. It does help you understand how someone is and how to interact with them. It doesn’t always help you understand why.

And it doesn’t always, I don’t think, it doesn’t shine a light on some really unique special things about the person that they might identify with really well. It’s just so much of this; how you’re perceived outwardly and how you’ll show up in the workplace or whatever. It’s helpful, but I think there are others that dive a little deeper and lean into more motivations and more just unique elements to our personality that I find more powerful.

Cassy Joy: I agree. The one piece, if I were to tease out just one piece of Myers-Briggs that I do find the most helpful in working with other folks is that introvert/extrovert. That distinguishing factor. Know that you could be right on the border, and you can flip flop between the two and show signs of having one or the other. But I think I’m a really strong extrovert. And it’s healthy for me to recognize when a team member of mine; let’s say if we’re having lots of events to know if somebody does identify as an introvert to be able to say; hey; instead of saying, do you want to come and do this thing and we’ll chat more between these activities like, give them the space to go to their hotel room and work by themselves for a couple of hours. That has been helpful and instructional for me as a coach.

Diane Sanfilippo: Yeah, as a leader. I think it’s important to know.

3. Love Languages/Languages of Appreciation [24:28]

Cassy Joy: Yes. Ok, next up. Love languages/language of appreciation. So this is probably one of my favorites that we’re going to go over today and I use the most. The five love languages is where it started. And it is a program by Gary Chapman. You can take the quiz online. It’s fast and easy and I’m pretty sure it’s free.

So the love languages/language of appreciation, which is a more appropriate framework. Especially when you’re thinking about the business environment. But it’s essentially a way to show how do you receive or how do you look to receive affirmation or signs that you are being appreciated. And there are five different languages of appreciation. I’ll just go ahead and use that language for this context. But the book and the program is definitely geared towards love languages at first, so it’s between you and your partner, for example, or a friend.

But there are words of affirmation, acts of service, receiving gifts, quality time, and physical touch. So this is probably easier; let’s think about it from a relationship standpoint. So if it’s between you and your partner, you might be thinking already without having taken this quiz; I feel the most loved by my partner or my boyfriend or my parents or my best friend when they give me a small token. When they give me a thing. That shows me; gosh. That makes me swoon, buckle at the knees, I feel seen and I feel loved by that person. Right?

Or, maybe it’s not gifts. My husband is definitely not a receiving gifts person. {laughs} And Diane is not either. And I know that when I give him a gift, it has to be reflective of an act of service. It has to be something that shows some sort of a service towards him, because that’s his primary love language.

So what we find ourselves doing is the way that you best receive love or best receive affirmation from your colleagues and the people who you work with professionally tends to be our reflex on how we then show it outwardly. Because we think; as you would, because you have a data set of 1, right? You have one person, you have one brain. You would think; well, I feel loved when I get gifts. So I’m going to show love by giving gifts.

And the purpose of this framework is to say; that’s actually not true for everybody. They may not receive what you have intended to give. So I think it’s actually really, really powerful. Especially in the work environment, when I’m thinking about words of affirmation. If somebody comes across as; they are a words of affirmation. Which, I may be making this up, but I feel like that is probably one of the most common ones out there. I come across it the most. Diane is roughly nodding her head.

Diane Sanfilippo: Yeah, I think so. I think especially; somehow I’m finding. I don’t know how many people; this would be an interesting cross section to study. How many people in a leadership role find words of affirmation as helpful as folks who are in support teams. I don’t know that that would be always; the correlation would always be the same. There are always going to be some leaders for whom words of affirmation are powerful. But I find that for the folks on my teams, words of affirmation are extremely powerful.

Cassy Joy: Yes. Ditto. Same for my team, as well. The grand majority of folks that I work with definitely fall into that primary category. And it’s good for me to remember. Because truly, when I get words of affirmation, I’m appreciative of the time that someone took to send me something. But the words themselves don’t really mean a whole lot to me. Because my primary language of appreciation is quality time. So that’s how I really receive just appreciation and love; are people taking time away.

Maybe this is to your point, because my time, and for everybody. But I really view it as my most valuable currency. And when someone takes time; which is a non-renewable resource, right? And provides it and sets it asides. Comes and visits, when you have a baby, those kinds of things. Really means something to me.

So it’s just interesting because, especially knowing where your partner falls in, or the people who you work with very closely. So that you can really give them what they’re looking for. Because words of affirmation really isn’t something that I need. I have found; that was a huge growth opportunity for me and realizing that I need to provide those to the people that I’m working with that are doing great things. Because they really blossom when they get that affirmation.

Diane Sanfilippo: Yeah. And I think we can basically cross off physical touch as being something that’s going to be handled in the workplace. I don’t know if there’s a translation for that language when it comes to the workplace. So just kind of keep that in mind, we’re really going to focus on those four of; words of affirmation, quality time, acts of service, and tangible gifts.

So where this is also really powerful as someone who might have a team or be leading people is understanding that if words of affirmation are the most powerful for the people that work with you, spending lots of time and money getting gifts together for them; you still might do it. But feeling compelled to do that in order to make them feel valued, you might be putting more value in it than is necessary. Or spending more money than you have to.

So where this can be helpful is; let’s say you have a new business, and you have two team members and you are like; wow, I really don’t have the money to be buying them gifts for their anniversary month, or their birthday, or whatever it is that you think you need to give them some kind of; even you don’t have money to give them a cash bonus at some point. Taking the time to actually verbalize what they mean to you, how they’ve helped in your business. Making them very meaningful words and not just an, “atta girl, good job.” Truly doing that in a way that shows that that person is seen and recognized for what they’re doing; that can carry a lot of weight. And I think people vastly undervalue what that can do.

So my language of appreciation and love language is acts of service. And it’s pretty akin to quality time in a lot of ways. I think quality time is probably my second highest. These do end up ranking when you take the test. You see kind of your highest and your lowest, and gifts really fall at the bottom for me. That doesn’t mean that I don’t love and appreciate a very thoughtful gift. But they’re few and far between. It just has to be the right gift. Which, that’s kind of rude, right? You’re being tested. If you’re going to send me a gift, watch out. Because it’s being heavily judged. {laughing} So only if you know me well.

Otherwise, showing up for me and handling something, doing it, as you were saying with quality time. For me, doing something with your time instead of me doing it with my time. I value that immensely. So as something as small as my husband stopping at the grocery store; act of service. Him doing the dishes; act of service. Any of those things are just consistently; I mean, when we first were together and he scraped the ice off my windshield in Pittsburg, I was like; guess I will marry this guy. {laughs}

Cassy Joy: Aww! {laughs} That is so sweet.

Diane Sanfilippo: I didn’t ask; especially if I don’t ask somebody to do something and they know it needs to get done or they know I would appreciate, that anticipation. So those things. And that’s definitely something that was modeled for me as a kid. I know that my parents kind of did that a lot for each other. It was just the little errands and the grocery store pick up, and like; what do you need, can I get something for you. That kind of show of affection was pretty common. At least the way that I perceived it. So acts of service.

And that’s actually something that I do communicate pretty frequently with my team, with team Balanced Bites, to tell them; I don’t expect you to read my mind. But, when you are anticipatory. When you handle something, and not only do your job and cross off everything but maybe go a little above and beyond and handle something or take something off my plate, it is extremely meaningful to me. And it doesn’t go unnoticed. And I do always do my best to use words of affirmation to kind of follow that up and giving gold stars in different meetings that we have and things like that to try and make sure everybody feels that.

And a way that we use tangible gifts for my team; because I’m not a gift giver and I don’t love receiving gifts, we generally do gifts for like an anniversary month with my team. because I have a team that has been with me for so long, it happens. Or it’s like; ok, it’s been three years. It’s been six years. Sending a different; whether it’s a bouquet or a plant from the Sill or something like that.

Cassy Joy: That’s nice.

Diane Sanfilippo: Yeah. So that’s kind of a fun thing. And because we are remote. And not everyone is in the room to just have a congratulations or have a little party.

Cassy Joy: Happy anniversary.

Diane Sanfilippo: Exactly. That’s not as common. And the quality time thing; that’s something that we’re able to do in a couple of different ways. One, every now and then. It just depends on the person. But sometimes there is somebody who just wants to chat about something in a side business that they’re working on and they just want to chat about it with me kind of as their mentor and coach and leader in one capacity, but kind of funneling into other things.

So, we had at one point; the video editor we had been working with for a while. She wanted to pursue health coaching. And I’m not sure that that is a direction she’s taking ultimately. But for a couple of years, she was really pursuing it. So time taken out of not just talking about our regular work stuff, but kind of coaching her on that a little bit was a way to kind of offer quality time.

And then we also try and do a retreat here in San Francisco now we’ve done it a couple of times where everyone comes together and we do our team meeting and planning and all of that. And that is something that is quality time for everyone. So that’s a nice thing.

We had actually done PaleoFx a couple of years in a row. I was thinking; why didn’t we have those sooner? But it was because we had this other thing to come together at. And then we just started doing it on our own. It’s been really fun and just a nice way to connect and have that.

Cassy Joy: It’s so interesting hearing you talk through that, because I’ve never actually thought about; honestly. Because I actually was mistyped for my language of appreciation for a very, very long time. I thought I was acts of service, but really when it came down to it and I thought about it, it is the things that wound me the most that make me feel like my cup is more empty is when I’m missing out on quality time with certain people in my life. And the things that make me feel the most full; my cup is full, is when I do have that quality time with people.

And in thinking about my own business; what I get the most jazzed about being in the room with my team for two days straight. I’m on top of the world.

Diane Sanfilippo: That’s interesting.

Cassy Joy: Isn’t that interesting? And then looking at this office space, being together. I’m just so excited about the time we get to spend together.

Diane Sanfilippo: Yeah, and I get most jazzed about when something gets done that I didn’t even know was on the list. And I’m like; wow. Love it. Great. Thank you. I appreciate that they did that service and got the thing done, and I did not have to be involved.

Cassy Joy: That’s so funny. Now, this is a caveat, because I like quality time. But it has to be quality, it can’t just be; let’s waste each other’s time, time. {laughs}

Diane Sanfilippo: Well what’s so interesting, too, is if you look. When you and I first truly became friends, is when we went on book tour together. And for me, you coming on the book tour was kind of an act of service. Because even though it serves to help both of us, for me to not have to do those events alone is helpful. Just to; I don’t mind doing events alone but it’s just more fun and I feel like someone is giving their time, but it is an act of service to me. It’s not just the time. It’s like; you’re doing something that alleviates stress and pressure from me. So that was very much an act of service in my eyes, just in reflecting on it.

And then, obviously, it was like the quality of quality times for us to spend; what was it, like three weeks? We didn’t even really know each other that well. And I was like; let’s go on a book tour together.

Cassy Joy: We didn’t. It was like, instant good friend incubator. {laughs}

Diane Sanfilippo: {laughing}

Cassy Joy: Considering both of our languages of appreciation, between the acts of service and the quality time; you just get us in front of a table with some sushi {laughs} and that was just; I mean, three weeks of just forging a really strong friendship.

I don’t know if you remember this; at the end of that tour, we had gone, I think Portland was one of our last stops. I remember you got this hot honey. I don’t know why I remember this.

Diane Sanfilippo: I remember.

Cassy Joy: Because I saw it at the store recently, and it brought it all back. You got this hot honey, and you forgot to put it in your checked bag, and it wound up in your carry on, and they made you throw it away and you were so heart broken. So as like an end of the tour gift, I sent you a gift. I found the hot honey, and then I also sent you these collagen chews and these other things that we had shared along the way. And you sent me a note, and you were like;

Diane Sanfilippo: Now that’s a gift!

Cassy Joy: Yes! {laughs} You were like; that was a well done gift. Clearly, it cost, I don’t know, $12. But yeah, that’s not what it was about. Anyway. I thought that was so funny. You taught me something in that moment about gift receiving. It was interesting. That was a really fun time.

Diane Sanfilippo: Of course I remember that. That was funny. What’s so funny, too, is my friend Robyn Youkilis; I don’t think we had ever spent time in a room together. I can’t remember if we did. We almost did. We were both at the Sundance Film Festival a couple of years ago. But our relationship was also totally remote until I was like; hey, you’re launching a book around when I am. Why don’t you come to Seattle and Tacoma with me. I’m just like; I feel like I’m the McJagger of book tours.

Cassy Joy: You are.

Diane Sanfilippo: Where I’m like; who wants to come on this tour with me?

Cassy Joy: {laughing}

Diane Sanfilippo: Somebody come share this stage. I am tire of hearing myself speak. That’s really how I feel about it. But also I’m like; who wants to come hang out in Portland with me? Or wherever. And we have the best time. And it was just like; it wasn’t weird at all. Same thing when you and I spent three weeks together.

Cassy Joy: It wasn’t.

Diane Sanfilippo: Anyway. So great. So, yeah, really interesting. I think there are lots of ways to use that in the workplace. And I think if you are looking for something that is almost like an entry level, getting to know your team better, I do think a combination of the Four Tendencies and the Five Love Languages; because I think both of those tests you can get for free. I think they’re pretty light weight. You don’t have to get into potentially unfolding people’s trauma {laughs} or any of that. I think these are very 10,000-foot view of this person and understanding them better.

And truthfully, I think those two are some of the ones I did first with my team. And they were very helpful. And you can go a long way with it. And if you’re somebody who works with a team, perhaps in like a network marketing business, this might be as deep as you need to go. You are not responsible for managing everyone’s personality and issues and all of that when you’re working on that type of team.

But when you do have something where you’re the boss and you’re paying people; getting to know them well so that you can; and this is what my experience has been in the last five years. The way I’ve changed as a leader is honestly a complete 180. In order to truly respect the people who work with you, to help support you in achieving this greater vision that you have for yourself and the company that you’re building.

And this is a type 8 problem, but it can’t just be about your agenda and wishing that everyone operated the way that you do. It really has to be about leaning into and respecting how other people work, what they enjoy doing, how they can best contribute. And finding ways to make their lives more enjoyable in the process of working with you. That’s something that I’m really seeing for myself this year. And these things can all really help with that. Just observing these behaviors and these patterns and all of that. I have more to say on it, but I’ll get into it another day.

4. Fascination Advantage [41:53]

Diane Sanfilippo: So, should we get to the next one?

Cassy Joy: Yeah. So this one, I thought it was brand new to me. {laughing}

Diane Sanfilippo: This is hilarious. But not surprising, whatsoever, Cassy.

Cassy Joy: Knowing my love of personality tests?

Diane Sanfilippo: Totally.

Cassy Joy: So, Diane’s going to give you the real intro on it. But the next one she’s going to talk about is the Fascination Advantage. And in preparation for today’s show; I mean, you’ve been really excited about this for a while. You’re like; I wonder what you are on this grid. And you had your ideas. So I took the test. Or I was prepared to take the test for today’s show; I bought a ticket for it. I think it’s $55. I did the team one, because I also wanted Fed and Fit team to take it. And lo and behold; y’all I had these results saved from 2015.

Diane Sanfilippo: It’s hilarious.

Cassy Joy: And they’re still accurate. I read through this whole PDF and it still very much feels like the shoe fits. So it was just so funny. But tell us about the Fascination Advantage.

Diane Sanfilippo: So, this is the best view that I can give of it. Because I’m not uber steeped in it at this point. It’s something that I learned about from Naomi Nakamori, who is on my Beautycounter team. She’s actually one of my real-life buds, we hang out all the time. People have probably seen us traveling to LA. Because we discovered that we have one of our advantages in common, so it’s really interesting.

But the how to fascinate test; it helps you to understand how other people perceive you in a way that allows you to lean into those qualities of yourself to better show up and better lead in a way that’s relatively unique to you.

So, where I find this really interesting is that Cassy and I obviously have the same ENTJ Myers-Brigg type out of 16 types. Well this framework actually has; oof. Let’s see if I can count; three, six, seven times three, four, five, six, seven. 49 but maybe not quite. It’s over 40 different archetypes that you could be. So I do think it drills down a lot better than some of these other tests and types.

And it gives you sort of this overarching title of; well I did say that with the 16 personalities test. Like the ENTJ is sort known as the Commander. But this gets even more detailed. So it takes two leading strengths that you have, combines them into what this archetype is for you. And it helps you to know; this is what people see in me. This is why they love listening to me. This is how I fascinate other people.

And it’s really something. I think it’s really something special. It can be; mostly I think it’s powerful for people who are in a leadership position. So I think; what you were saying about having it work for your whole team. It’s definitely insightful for team members. But I think it is most powerful for someone who is leading a team. Because I think the elements of it that we can learn from the most. Really; if we’re standing up there in front of people, it’s telling you; this is what fascinates people about you. This is why they’re listening. This is why they’re following you.

So for fascination advantage, like I said, I think there’s over 40 different archetypes. I’m not going to go over what all 40 of them are. There are way too many. So if you guys want to take it, it is a slightly pricier test than some of the others out there. So if you’re in a leadership position, I do recommend taking it. Because I learned a lot from this in terms of how I fascinate. Which was just kind of reassuring and like; ok. Don’t shy away from this. Lean into this. As well as what they call a dormant advantage. And it’s like, the place where if you get stuck in this, you are bringing the whole ship down with you. And Cassy and I actually have the same dormant advantage.

So my type is known as the Maestro. And the way that they figure out what your type is, it’s sort of a cross section of two advantages that come together to form your type. So the advantages that you can have are power, trust, prestige, passion, mystique, innovation, and alert. And I’m just going to get into a couple of these now. Because we have some information on it for the way that it’s working out for myself and for Cassy.

But my two highest were; I somehow ranked all the way at the top for both of these, power and prestige. And I guess they put power first. So my type is known as the Maestro. It says, “you are confident, goal-oriented, decisive.” I mean, these are a lot of things that I would be like; ok, yes. I know this about myself. Not that interesting. But it does help when it gets into; they have this one-minute coaching. “you’re naturally independent. You tend to believe, often rightly so, that you can simply do things better yourself. Sound familiar? If so, you might find yourself stepping in to take over. Take note; this approach can slow your goals if others feel they can’t contribute enough. Coach your team members to improve their own performance and allow them to learn by making their own mistakes. You’ll progress further if you can help your team to develop their skills.”

So it gives you ways to kind of work with what you’re great at, and then how to develop through that. Which I always think are the most important elements. And one thing that I found very interesting about this; I think I’ve talked about this on the show before. Last year, at the leadership summit or lead for Beautycounter, I was on a panel with three other leaders. And there was a moment where they asked us; and we had rehearsed this, it wasn’t just on the spot. But they asked us to fill in the blank and complete the sentence. They said with one word. Of course I had two.

But they said; finish this sentence. “I lead with…” And the other women on the panel; forgive me if you’re listening and I don’t remember exactly the words. But it was like, I lead with love. I lead with heart. I lead with grace. And I was like; I lead with commanding presence. {laughs} And I was like; that sounds crazy compared to what these women are saying. But it was so eye opening that somehow, last year, I was able to put my finger on this. I somehow identified that this is the thing that people see in me. I don’t know where; you know what I mean? It just is what it is. So when we go over your type it’s like; you’re not working at that. This is just how you are.

Cassy Joy: It’s therapeutic to see that, though. It’s like; it’s the forest through the trees issue, right? We’re so lost in our own forest it’s hard to really see the landscape and how we are actually perceived.

Diane Sanfilippo: Right. Especially when people ask; how can I be more like this? And one of the things that’s top to my type is confidence. Listen; the Enneagram 8, all these things combined, I’ve been reading more about it. But we’re the types where we had a moment in our development where we had to grow up quickly. So confidence is sort of paramount to that. Because when you need to learn at a young age to trust yourself. Because things around you are a bit shaky. It’s innate at that point. I can’t teach you.

I mean, there are strategies. And we can talk about that on a future episode. There are strategies for building confidence and I love the information that’s out there on the web these days for how to become more confident. But, to date, people asking how did you get to be so confident. It’s like; I had no choice. So this is something that’s innate to me. And there is language in this fascination advantage that somewhere along the way used the words, commanding presence. And I was like; I can go home now. {laughs} Thank you very much. We’ve identified this.

So they give you three adjectives to describe the Maestro; ambitious, focused, confident. I wish I could say I felt more focused than I am. I don’t quite feel that. But we can get into more of this on other episodes where we dive into it. I do want to touch on the one thing that is a dormant advantage that you and I have in common. And then let’s dive into your fascination advantage. Because I think it is so interesting.

Oh, I forgot to explain Power and Prestige. Let me just briefly go over what those are. Power is pretty self explanatory; just being in a leadership role. Having the power. And you walk into a room as somebody with that advantage, and you want to know who is in charge and you feel comfortable when you’re in charge. That’s somebody who has that power advantage.

Prestige is somebody who rapidly earns respect, focuses on adding value through better execution, very conscientious of small details. Motivated by competitive spirit. Expects high quality deliverables from themselves and others. And earns respect with higher standards. So I found that really interesting, because it’s somebody for whom high quality is of the utmost importance. And that’s something that I think people would know about me. It’s like; when you get something from me, it’s not going to skimp on the quality. Whether it’s one of my products, or food, or whether I give you advice. And that’s not to say that other people don’t have this element as a big part of who they are. And I know that came up as a big part of you, as well, Cassy. But it wasn’t one of your two leading elements.

So it’s just interesting the way that kind of comes together. For me, in looking at rebranding a little bit and doing things with Balanced Bites, it’s like; I need to lean into this stuff. Because it’s not everyone’s advantage in a marketplace of products. So me as the leader of the company, having that power. Having that recognition of; I’m a nutrition consultant and I can really share what I’m doing with my company in this way with that command. And then as well as the high quality being something to lean on.

So I just think this is something really interesting. I think it’s a great way to know yourself better. I think it’s a great way to own the way that other people see and perceive you. And to not feel ashamed of it, and to not feel like; oh, it’s weird that I’m different or this is the way that I lead. That I don’t just lead with love. That’s ok. And if you do, it’s ok too.

And then this dormant advantage; it says this is your most exhausting form of communication. It’s how you’re least likely to impress others, and try to avoid situations that force you to communicate with this advantage. Because this form of communication will cost you a disproportionate amount of energy, and it’s unlikely to set you up for success.

So for us, our dormant advantage is both called Alert. It’s so interesting. It sounds like we’re not alert people, but it has nothing to do with that. Essentially what it means is; we’re not good at living in the numbers. The numbers and the minutia is not where we can live. It does not mean that we’re not strategic. It doesn’t mean that we don’t look at numbers and learn from them and make decision from them. But if you put us on a stage to deliver numbers, we’re going to lose the audience. That’s not our best place. Right? We have to lean into the thing that we are great at and that we fascinate other people with, and that’s not going to be the numbers. Which is interesting, right? Because that’s your husband, probably one of his advantages.

Cassy Joy: It probably is. I bet it’s one of his top ones. Yes. So my archetype is called the Catalyst, and the five descriptors there are. Well, the two advantages that contribute to the Catalyst is Passion is my number one and then Innovation is my number two. And the descriptors are out of the box, social, energizing, enthusiastic, and creative.

And it’s really interesting to me, it says how the world sees you; you make a vibrant first impression and you’re valued for your enthusiastic approach and ability to generate ideas. Buoyant and social. You embrace new situations and relationships with zeal. Like, three weeks on a book tour with Diane. I was like; we will be besties. You speak with flare. You use expressive gestures.

Diane Sanfilippo: I can attest to all of that. {laughs}

Cassy Joy: {laughing} Yes. And it’s interesting, you know, just reading through this. Your creative spirit. You often dislike repetitive linear tasks. And that’s true. And this also starts to fall into sync with my Four Tendency as a Rebel, right? If forced to adhere to a rigid set of rules, you can become bored and distracted. You should be free for work that demands untraditional thinking. And where I find this really, really valuable, Diane, is something that I have a really hard time doing. I will get down to work. I will get down to work, I love imagining.

I mean, the kind of coach that I know now I am through this lens; even in, let’s say Beautycounter. In our Beautycounter businesses. If someone on my team takes time to send me a Voxer and they’re asking for coaching or an idea about how to approach something, I guarantee you I’m going to give you an out of the box idea. Because if you ask me a question…

Diane Sanfilippo: Yeah. Your response is always; what if?

Cassy Joy: Yes!

Diane Sanfilippo: What if we did this?

Cassy Joy: Exactly. I don’t know why. It’s a reflex of mine that I’m like; what is the most untraditional way we can look at an answer to any one problem. Right? And I think I’ve done really well by that. Right? This Cook Once, Eat All Week format was a very different way to solve a very common question. And a very common solution. It’s just interesting.

But it does talk about because that my dormant advantage is, what was it, focus?

Diane Sanfilippo: That’s hilarious. It’s called alert.

Cassy Joy: {laughing} Alert! But what it says here on the catalyst is something I need to work on, or maybe a weakness for me is not jumping; it’s kind of an Enneagram 7 kind of vibe I’m getting from it. Which I do have a lot of me in. I’m an Enneagram 3 through, and through. But I do identify with a lot of 7 qualities. It essentially said; if you get something, to set yourself up for success, you really need to focus on it and really just see it through. Set up these processes and set up these repetitive tasks that might feel boring, but will actually help something come to life.

And that is what I’ve had to do in the last couple of years of my business. In order to really capitalize and maximize, which is going to be last thing we’re going to talk about, on these efforts that I’ve got. So I find this really interesting. And what it really gives me the power to do, and I want everyone to have this power. Is to really name what is your special sauce? For me, I feel like I’m able to now verbalize for people; I will give you an out of the box idea. And I can confidently; you can throw a problem my way that is from an industry that I have hardly ever touched and I’m going to get so jazzed about learning about it and then maybe coming up with an approach that you just maybe don’t see.

That’s just so fun for me.

Diane Sanfilippo: I love that.

Cassy Joy: That sounds like a dream.

Diane Sanfilippo: I love that. I didn’t read the five adjectives, but I feel like they’re probably redundant so maybe I won’t read those.

Cassy Joy: {laughs} Ok.

5. Strengths Finder [57:37]

Diane Sanfilippo: We’ll move on. Ok.

Cassy Joy: Ok so the last one that we’re going to talk about is Strengths Finder. I’m going to kind of fly through this because I know we’re running close on time. But Strengths Finder is run by an organization called Gallup. And there is a book called Strengths Quest. And this is probably; actually this preceded Myers-Briggs for me professionally because; I think we might have done this back in Lululemon days. I’m trying to remember where I first heard about it. Maybe it was in college; Texas A&M. Maybe that’s where I touched on it first.

There are 34 strengths in this entire line up of strengths that Gallup runs for the strengths finder. And the point of it is you take this test; I think if it’s still true, the way that it turns out is they will give you your top 5, and the point of it is that the rest of them; strengths number 6 through 34, are a mystery to you. And the reason why I like; now, of course. They can upsell you, and I think you can unlock the rest of them.

Diane Sanfilippo: {laughs}

Cassy Joy: But the reason why I don’t encourage you do that is because the point of this is to focus on your strengths. Right? To lean into the things that you’re good at. And then also when you’re working with your team is to look at what are they good at? What can they lean in on and what can you pull out from them? So I find it to be a really powerful test.

But an interesting observation; whereas your Enneagram number, once you find it, and once you’ve settled on it. Some people have a hard time nailing it down at the beginning. That’s your number. Your core fear and your core motivator, that is who you are. Right? And that’s not necessarily something that changes. You can have expressions that vary through life. But that’s typically your number. It doesn’t waffle.

Your language of appreciation is typically always going to be consistent. Your fascination advantage; I took this test almost five years ago and I really feel like that’s still consistent. And I’ve been through a lot in those five years.

However, the strengths finder; I’ve taken this test, I think I’ve taken it four to five times over the last 10 years. And I’ve gotten different results every single time. There are a couple that have continuously been on my top five list in a variety of orders, but I find this one to be really interesting.

So if you’re listening and you’re part of a larger organization, or a very large company, this is a really fun one to do with a good sized group of people. And I worked in organization where people will take this test, and they’ll print off their top five strengths and glue it to their door. Because it’s just really good to know. And also it might surprise you.

I’ll tell you our strengths in a second, but my mom for example. She’s an Enneagram 8. She comes across as very rough; because I know her as well as I know her, I know that’s not her heart. I know how squishy she is. But she comes across as really tough, right? And it’s so interesting because when she took strengths finder, Diane, her top three strengths were harmony, empathy, sympathy.

Diane Sanfilippo: {laughs} Yeah.

Cassy Joy: And I think it really blew people’s socks off. So it really provides a nice; if you pair this with a few of the other frameworks, it provides a really nice, well rounded view of who a person could be.

Diane Sanfilippo: Agreed.

Cassy Joy: I really like it. My top five; my number one, the most recent time I took it, was positivity as my number one. Which actually that’s the first time that had been on my strengths finder. But positivity is my number one; my number two is maximizer. That has always been my number one or my number two. My number three is communication. I really value communication. Empathy is my number four. And arranger is my number five. And I think that’s probably the CEO side of me coming out and learning how to really help execute these big projects that we have by arranging talent.

Diane Sanfilippo: So, why don’t I read the super quick two sentence description of each of those, just to give people a little more insight into what those mean. So you can see of the 34 different strengths, the type of information that it will give you. Just super high level, and then the reports will dive into it. And I do think it’s very enlightening. Because I think this is something where you might have a hunch that you’re good at this, but it helps to explain it a little bit more.

So, positivity, we can probably understand. But that’s about; folks with this theme have an enthusiasm that is contagious. They are upbeat, and get others excited about what they’re going to do. We can agree on that one. {laughs}

Maximizer; I actually have this one too. People talented in this theme focus on strengths as a way to stimulate personal and group excellence. They seek to transform something strong into something superb.

Cassy Joy: Love it.

Diane Sanfilippo: I love that. And I actually…

Cassy Joy: That speaks to my soul. {laughs}

Diane Sanfilippo: Right? And reading that again, it’s so obvious that when we’re just talking about personality frameworks and how much we love leaning on our strengths, that we’re both maximizers.

Cassy Joy: Isn’t that funny?

Diane Sanfilippo: No surprise there.

Cassy Joy: Yeah.

Diane Sanfilippo: Ok, communication. People talented in this theme generally find it easy to put their thoughts into words. They’re good conversationalists and presenters. Empathy; I’m just scrolling through here. These folks can sense the feelings of other people by imagining themselves in others’ lives or situations. Some of these are more obvious than others, but I think it’s still helpful to hear.

Cassy Joy: That’s kind of a nod to Enneagram 3-ness, right?

Diane Sanfilippo: Yeah.

Cassy Joy: Enneagram 3s typically are known as people who, nobody can read a room better than an Enneagram 3. We see emotion in a room and we can read it like there’s color on the wall. So it’s interesting, that crossover here.

Diane Sanfilippo: That’s interesting. Very interesting. So Arranger; people talented in this theme can organize, but they also have the flexibility that compliments this ability. They like to figure out how all the pieces and resources can be arranged for maximum productivity. Yes, that is you my friend.

Cassy Joy: {laughs}

Diane Sanfilippo: {laughs}

Cassy Joy: Well how are we going to fit 4,000 things into this teeny little hole. There’s a way. We’re going to Tetris it.

Diane Sanfilippo: Totally. My top five themes were activator, relator, significance, strategic, and maximizer. And I will read what those are all about.

An activator can make things happen by turning thoughts into action. Once a decision is made, they want to act quickly. Yes. Sorry team. {laughs} Sorry team, we launched a meal business in about 6 weeks. Sorry I was on vacation and started a new business. That’s what happened last year.

Relator; people talented in the relator theme enjoy close relationships with others. They find deep satisfaction in working hard with friends to achieve a goal.

Cassy Joy: Oh, boo.

Diane Sanfilippo: Hello podcast friend. {laughs}

Cassy Joy: That’s so nice. {laughing}

Diane Sanfilippo: See? We’re not so bad. We 8s. Significance; this won’t be shocking. People talented in this theme want to make a big impact. They’re independent and sort projects based on the level of influence it will have on their organization and others around them. Indeed.

Strategic; people talented in this theme create alternative ways to proceed. Faced with any given scenario, they can quickly spot the relevant patterns and issues. So, yes. To me that is massive problem solving. How do we get out of this maze? That kind of.

Cassy Joy: Yes.

Diane Sanfilippo: And maximizer, which we read. And we have that same strength in common. So I think that’s super interesting. Because for all the ways you and I are really similar, I love to see all of those nuances and differences, because those are the things that really help us to, at least from my perspective, continue to value the people around us for our differences. Because we can kind of tell our similarities.

But I think our differences, and being able to say how much we appreciate those differences and how they contribute to camaraderie or collaboration or knowing; you know, Cassy is the right person to turn to when I want to have a brain storm sesh. Let’s get really creative about XYZ. And then I don’t want to put words in Cassy’s mouth, but I feel like I’m a person that she turns to for just really pointed problem solving. Like, I have this real thing going on right now, what do you think?

Cassy Joy: You are my person for that.

Diane Sanfilippo: And it’s that strategic.

Cassy Joy: Yes.

Diane Sanfilippo: I like being that person. I feel like I have a very level head on those things. But how cool, you know, that we have these different things in common and in difference. So when is it appropriate; I think you mentioned, people will hang it on the door. We talked about this as a team. And I think this is definitely a self awareness thing. I don’t think it’s so much of a; we lean on people for all of these things in different ways. But I do think we could use them a little more broadly and even in my own team I think I’m going to circle back to it.

We went over it when we were here together for our retreat, but I want to circle back to it and kind of have it visible for my team and remember to lean into those strengths for each of them when I’m feeling like I’m not sure; this is going to sound weird. But like I’m not sure what button to push or where to pull a lever or step on the gas or encourage them in a certain way. I think, or challenge them, not in a negative way, but in a; I have this new challenge for you and recognizing that it aligns with a strength I think would be a very powerful way to support their growth in their position working with me and just becoming better all the time.

Cassy Joy: I think that’s great. I love it. Well, because we’re both maximizers. {laughing}

Diane Sanfilippo: {laughs} We can’t help but want to get the most out of everything. We are squeezing that almond pulp until there’s no non-dairy milk left out of that almond pulp bag, you know?

Cassy Joy: That’s it. You’re going to have some really dry flour left over at the end of that.

Diane Sanfilippo: What a weirdo analogy, but I’m just picturing. I’m like, sitting on it trying to get all that stuff out.

Cassy Joy: {laughing} Oh man.

Diane Sanfilippo: I’m a whackado.

Cassy Joy: I love it.

6. Tip of The Week: Choose a test [1:08:14]

Cassy Joy: Tip of The Week! In this segment, we give you one tip that you can take action on this week to move your business or life forward. And the tip this week is pretty straightforward. I bet you saw it coming. But I would love for you to consider taking one of the tests that we mentioned today that really interested you the most. Like we said, the first two; the Myers-Briggs, which you can find over at 16Personalities.com and the Love Languages/Language of Appreciation, both of those are very affordable, approachable/free. The other two do have a cost associated with them. But just knowing ourselves better can really be powerful.

And if you want to really level up and you’re interested to see, what’s the landscape of your team, I think it can be really powerful if you choose one of these, at least, to start on and see what bubbles to the surface in terms of your team and what sets you apart. What’s a distinguishing factor for the folks that you work with. Whether it’s actual employees, if you run a small business like I do, like Diane does. Or let’s say you’re part of some sort of mentorship, network marketing company, it could be really great to do this with your leaders and just really see what are the strengths across the board and how can you then share some of these responsibilities as you continue to grow and evolve.

Diane Sanfilippo: That’s it for Driven this week. If you liked this episode, be sure to subscribe in Apple podcast, on Stitcher, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Follow us on Instagram @TheDrivenPodcast. Cassy is @FedandFit and I am @DianeSanfilippo.

Tune in next week for a Q&A about personality tests in the workplace. We’ll see you then.